When Marvel came out with all their movies, I went to them, but I was secretly wondering how DC would react. Although I love the X-men and Spider-man, Batman was my first superhero and I’ve always leaned more to them than Marvel. I liked the Henry Cavill version of Superman in Man of Steel and Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern wasn’t that bad, I thought. Then Marvel went on TV with Agents of Shield, and I wondered if DC would do a live-action TV show as well. They answered by giving Greg Berlanti the rights to Arrow and The Flash. After watching Arrow’s first season, I knew the DC Universe was in good hands. But I’m not here to talk about Arrow, I’m talking about The Flash!
The Flash has always been one of my favorite DC superheroes. One thing I like best is the legacy of the character. In the Golden Age of comics, you had Jay Garrick. In the Silver Age, Barry Allen became The Flash. Then in the 80’s after the Crisis on Infinite Earths, you had Barry’s nephew Wally West, who started out as his sidekick, Kid Flash.
When Barry Allen first appeared in Arrow’s season 2 episode, “The Scientist”, I had a feeling the upcoming spin-off had promise. The writers remembered that Barry is a forensic scientist and worked it into the plot. A few episodes later, the show introduced us to two supporting cast members for the spin-off, Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon. When the spin-off aired, I gave it a shot. I always give every show I’m interested in a four-episode trial run. By the time I got to episode 3, I was hooked. Now that the first season has finished, I can’t wait for season 2.
This isn’t the first time The Flash has been in live-action. There was also a show back in 1990, but it lasted only one season. This show is way better, and here’s why:
1. It focuses on the villains. The 1990 series’ biggest flaw was that it treated the villains like an afterthought. But here, the villains are the main focus, as they should be. Each villain is played well, especially Captain Cold, pictured above, and Reverse-Flash. They even make Reverse Flash the main villain and build up his reveal and eventual battle with the Flash throughout the season, with a great pay-off.
2. It doesn’t forget its predecessor. While the 1990 show didn’t last past its first season, it should still be acknowledged. So I was pleased to see John Wesley Shipp, who played Barry in the 1990 show, play Barry’s incarcerated father. We also got to see Mark Hammill reprise his role from the show as The Trickster.
3. Team-ups: The Flash wasn’t the only hero in the show. Throughout the first season, we were introduced to Robbie Raymond, who had also survived the particle accelerator’s explosion. We were also introduced to Martin Stien, a scientist he worked with. Then we learned they had become Firestorm. Firestorm is one of my favorite DC superheroes, and I was ecstatic to not only see him on TV, but see him portrayed exactly as he is portrayed in the comic, complete with the dual identity! There were also episodes where characters from Arrow guest starred, including Green Arrow himself. And Flash returned the favor by guest starring on Arrow as well, first to take down Captain Boomerang (did I mention they actually managed to do him justice?) and again for the finale. The Atom, who was also introduced on Arrow, made an appearance as well.
4. Nods to the Comics. Arrow constantly makes nods to the comics by referring to Green Arrow’s most famous writers and artists. The Flash has also made references to its comics’s writers and artists as well. But the good news is that even if you’ve not read one Flash or Green Arrow comic, you can still follow both shows.
5. A great season finale! I don’t want to spoil all of the finale, but it had some nice unexpected moments that made it all the sweeter.
In case you haven’t heard, The Flash has been renewed for at least another season. Berlanti isn’t through adapting the DC Universe, and has also started work on two other comics, Rip Hunter and Supergirl. I can’t wait for those shows. So, while I wait for season 2 of The Flash, I thought I’d share my wish list for it.
1. Mirror Master: Mirror Master is one of my favorite villains, not just for The Flash, but also the entire DC Universe. If he shows up, let’s not forget how excellently he can manipulate the situation around him.
2. Booster Gold: It’s great that Rip Hunter is getting his own show called The Legends of Tomorrow. But I’d like to see another well-known DC time-traveler show up, namely Booster Gold. Since The Flash is more willing to have superheroes in it, I think Booster Gold would be a better fit for it.
3. Wally West: While I enjoy the Barry Allen version of the Flash, I’d still love to see his nephew, even if it’s only as Kid Flash. If Arrow can give us Roy Harper as Arsenal, the surely we can get Kid Flash.
4. Cisco and Caitlin get powers. In the comics, Cisco and Caitlin also have superpowered alter egos. Cisco is the Justice League superhero Vibe, who was kind of lame in the 80’s, but I believe in the right hands, that can be fixed. Caitlin Snow is Killer Frost in the comics, and yes I’m aware that she’s a villain. So what? I still think it’d be great for Caitlin Snow to become a villain, especially if she is redeemable in the process.
If Greg Berlanti and his team of writers consider these ideas, I’m sure season 2 will be even more impressive. Let’s make it happen, gang! Keep up the good work!
Aspie Catholic 